Hi there, and welcome to EmpowHer. Thanks for your question.
There are a lot of reasons that we get irregular and that our periods get longer, shorter or of more difficult duration, but the most common one is that we're entering perimenopause. I'm wondering if the "35" next to your nickname might be your age? If so, you're about at the age when it can start happening. Some experience it sooner, others later. It's a process that happens over as many as 5-10 years.
Basically perimenopause is when your hormones are in transition. When our hormones are in the right balance, we usually have regular cycles that tend to be balanced in estrogen and progesterone. When our hormones start to transition, we may have too much of something, not enough of something else, and our timing can get a little off.
Here's the Mayo Clinic's page on perimenopause. Be sure to notice the blue links on the left that take you to other pages about it:
Are you usually regular and this is the first time you've had anything different happen? Or have you noticed other symptoms and irregularities?
Here is a page that discusses other possible causes of heavy uterine bleeding (which is defined by either an abnormally heavy flow or a flow that lasts longer than 7 days):
I would like to encourage you to call your ob/gyn's office and at least speak to the nurse, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. Tell them you've had abnormally heavy bleeding and give them the details. They'll be able to tell whether the doctor might want to see you. She/he may be able to help you get this looonnnng period stopped (which I'm sure you're ready for), find out what's happening, and help you deal with it so it won't go on forever. Will you do that?
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Dear Housewife35,
Hi there, and welcome to EmpowHer. Thanks for your question.
There are a lot of reasons that we get irregular and that our periods get longer, shorter or of more difficult duration, but the most common one is that we're entering perimenopause. I'm wondering if the "35" next to your nickname might be your age? If so, you're about at the age when it can start happening. Some experience it sooner, others later. It's a process that happens over as many as 5-10 years.
Basically perimenopause is when your hormones are in transition. When our hormones are in the right balance, we usually have regular cycles that tend to be balanced in estrogen and progesterone. When our hormones start to transition, we may have too much of something, not enough of something else, and our timing can get a little off.
Here's the Mayo Clinic's page on perimenopause. Be sure to notice the blue links on the left that take you to other pages about it:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554
Are you usually regular and this is the first time you've had anything different happen? Or have you noticed other symptoms and irregularities?
Here is a page that discusses other possible causes of heavy uterine bleeding (which is defined by either an abnormally heavy flow or a flow that lasts longer than 7 days):
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/abnormalbleeding/a/abnuterbleeding.htm
Are you on birth control of any kind?
Have you had endometriosis or uterine fibroids in the past, that you are aware of?
Here is a page about the top 10 causes of heavy menstrual bleeding:
http://womenshealth.about.com/od/abnormalbleeding/a/causemenorrhagi.htm
Do any of those sound possible?
I would like to encourage you to call your ob/gyn's office and at least speak to the nurse, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. Tell them you've had abnormally heavy bleeding and give them the details. They'll be able to tell whether the doctor might want to see you. She/he may be able to help you get this looonnnng period stopped (which I'm sure you're ready for), find out what's happening, and help you deal with it so it won't go on forever. Will you do that?
July 1, 2009 - 8:37amThis Comment
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